Leadership

Principals of the Year

When James D. Donnelly walked toward his school auditorium last week
for what he thought was a regular assembly, he was startled by the
deafening noise. Usually, it was quiet at the start of an assembly.

He didn't know that the noise was for him until he stepped into the
auditorium.

"Then I saw my former superintendent and the MetLife representative
on stage," he said. "That's when the dime dropped. I'm still kind of in
buzz. It was awesome."

The National Association of Secondary School Principals and MetLife
Resources, a nonprofit retirement-planning company, named Mr. Donnelly,
the principal of the 500-student James A. Green High School in
Dolgeville, N.Y., the National High School Principal of the Year.

Mr. Donnelly, 43, an 11-year veteran principal, took over the
troubled school's leadership in 1993 and faced down chronic
disciplinary problems and low academic performance. He helped improve
the school's graduation rate and oversaw a large decline in
disciplinary reports.

During the school assembly— which also included members of his
family, friends, and former co-workers—Mr. Donnelly was honored
with a $10,000 prize. Mr. Donnelly said the money would be used for
staff development and to help improve math assessment.

Meanwhile, Doug Lowery, the principal of the 600-student Hilliard
Memorial Middle School in Hilliard, Ohio, was named the National Middle
Level Principal of the Year.

At press time, staff members at Mr. Lowery's school were still
planning the surprise celebration to let him know that he had been
given the award.

The Hilliard principal, who has worked in the 13,800-student
Hilliard City School District for 12 years, was recognized by NASSP and
MetLife Resources for his commitment to improving the school's learning
environment and encouraging community involvement in students'
education. He will also receive a $10,000 award.